Griffin puts his struggles aside after two losses and gets more aggressive in wins over the Lakers and Golden State. He says he's getting the ball in the right places but wants to be more effective.

Maybe it was just a coincidence, but when Blake Griffin struggled during the Clippers' two-game losing streak, the team struggled as a whole.

And maybe it was just a coincidence that when Griffin was on his game the last two games, the Clippers were at their best.

In Griffin's eyes, it was a case of his being more aggressive.

"I think I need to do a better job of trying to establish a low-post presence early in the games," Griffin said after practice Monday.

Griffin was on the attack more in the last two wins over the Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

He was 17 for 28 (61%) from the field in the two games and averaged 22 points.

In the two losses, Griffin was six for 22 (27%) from the field and averaged 11 points.

And when his teammates have it going, Griffin said he still needs to fit in.

"Games like that when other guys are doing their thing, it's one of those things where I have to find my area," Griffin said. "But if we're struggling offensively, I need to do a better job of establishing myself. That's not on anybody but myself.

"It's not a matter of getting the ball. I get the ball in the post enough. I just need to make it a little more worthwhile when I get it."

Griffin said he doesn't need to demand the ball more.

He just wants to be more effective when he does get it down low.

"I think I get the ball where I want it," Griffin said. "Sometimes I'm a little too passive and don't try to attack or don't try to create a play right away. That's what I need to do."

Griffin is averaging 17.7 points on 53% shooting, and 8.5 rebounds.

He has even developed a nice little left-handed shot.

"I work on it every day," Griffin said. "It's something that I'm becoming more comfortable with. That's a shot I like, especially when teams are 'sitting' on my left shoulder. That's something I'm going to go to more and more. I've just got to keep working on it and trust it."

Hill closer to playing

With only two games this week and more time to practice, Grant Hill is rampingup his practices in an attempt to finally play in a regular-season game.

Coach Vinny Del Negro said there still wasn't a timetable for Hill to return from a bone bruise in his right knee, but Hill did practice Monday and will practice again Tuesday.

The Clippers play home games against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Del Negro was asked whether Hill was on target to play sometime this month.

"We'll see how he does in practice and then we'll make that assessment. We'll see how he reacts to a little more physical contact," said Del Negro, looking ahead to Tuesday's practice. "But he did all the drills [Monday] and the past few weeks. He said he feels good. But we've got to get him out there with some contact."

Etc.

Jamal Crawford (sore left foot) didn't practice and might not play Wednesday. Chauncey Billups (tendinitis in left foot) still is not ready to play.